Pleated material and method of making the same



July 4, 1939. P, TUTE|N 2,164,966

E'LEATED MATERIAL AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed April 14, 1938INVENTOR PAUL TUTEIN DECEASED, BY

KAMMATUTEm, WIDOW ATTORNEY Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES.

rms'rnn MATERIAL AND METHOD or MAKING 'rnn SAME Paul Tutein, deceased,late of Copenhagen, Denmark, by Kamma Tutein, widow, Copenhagen,

Denmark Application April 14, 1938, Serial No. 202,020 In GermanySeptember 9, 1937 13 Claims.

This invention relates to folded or pleated material, and is concernedmore particularly with such materials in which the folds are of novelarrangement, so that the materials may be used 5 in making articles andbodies for various purposes. The invention further includes a novelmethod by which the new products may be made of such materials as paper,cardboard, metal foil, sheet metal, etc.

According'to the methods of pleating commonly employed heretofore, thesheet material is folded first in one way and then the other along aseries of straight, generally parallel lines, so that the material maybe expanded and comll be folded or bent on axes parallel to the lines offolding. Material pleated in this manner may be folded or bent on axesparallel to the! ines of folding, but cannot be so manipulated on otheraxes without distorting the pleats and thereby g stiil'ening thematerial against the desired expansion and compression. As a result, thematerial may be used for a relatively few objects, in each of which thesurface of the material is straight in the direction of the pleats, andthe 5 use of the material is thus restricted to a few uses.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a novel methodofpleating by the practice of which a material may be readily made sowhich is suitable for use in the formation of or ticles and bodies whichcannot be made of material pleated or folded by prior methods. Inaccordance with the new method, the material is folded on three systemsof straight intersect- 35 ing lines so arranged that members of allsystems intersect at the same points, the material thus being subdividedby lines of folding into parallelograms, each having a line of foldingas one diagonal. The folding on the diagonals is in the 40 samedirection throughout the sheet, and the folding on the lines in theother two systems is likewise in the same direction, but inversely tothe folding on the diagonals. If desired, the three systems of lines maybe so arranged that the 4,5 parallelograms have the form of rhombs, inwhich case the diagonals are lines of symmetry for the other two systemsof lines, and the entire system of folding can be characterized assymmetrical. In order that a complete compression 0 of the material thusfolded may be made freely, it is desirable that the diagonal linesextend through the acute angles of the parallelograms, so that thediagonals in symmetrical systems divide the acute angles of theparallelograms into 55 equal angles of less than 45.

In materials folded in the manner described, the two portions of eachparallelogram lying on opposite sides of its diagonal extend outwardlyfrom the diagonal, and the sides of the parallelograms are defined byfolded edges of the comll pressed material arranged angularly relativeto one another, the number of such edges in a piece of the materialdepending on the number of parallelograms lying end to end lengthwise ofa diagonal. By appropriate manipulation of the 10 folded material, itmay be formed into various articles, as, for example, by partly drawingout the material, a facet, trough shaped body may be formed which can beinscribed in a cylindrical surface, and by turning one end of thematerial 1 about an axis, bodies may be formed which can be inscribed inother surfaces of revolution. Also,

a variation of the forms thus obtained may be had by omitting thefolding along part of the diagonal lines within certain of theparallelograms or along part of the sides of the parallelograms, orboth.

The method of the invention is particularly suited to the manufacture oftubes of large surface area, which may be drawn out and com- 55 pressedaxiallyin the manner of a bellows. In forming tubes in this way, a sheetof material of the appropriate width is folded to form staggered rows ofparallelograms extending end to end transversely of the sheet, theparallelograms in each row being in such number and so proportioned thatthe pleated material when compressed forms a polygon having a peripherywhich is continuous except for a break at adjacent edges of the sheet.When the material is expanded and the edges are suitably joined, thematerial forms a tube of large surface area. If desired, the oppositeprocedure may be followed, namely, a tube may have folds made in itswall along the appropriate lines to produce the same result. Tubes thusformed, even when made of sheet metaL, are flexible in all directions sothat they are suitable for a variety of purposes where flexibility orresilience is desirable. Also, the large surface in relation to thevolume makes such a 46 tube useful for heat transmission.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference -may be had tothe accompanying drawing, illustrating different forms of the in-..vention in which the folds are made on symso metrical systems ofintersecting lines. It will be understood, however, that the forms shownare merely for the purpose of illustration and that the folds may bemade as well on an unsymmetrical system of lines, that is, on a systemas of lines forming parallelogram which are not equilateral. In thedrawing:

Fig. l is a plan view of a sheet of the new pleated material drawn out,the width of the sheet being half the length of the diagonal of a rhombwhich would be formed by extending the three systems of intersectinglines;

Fig. 1a is an end view of the sheet shown in Fig. 1, in compressed form;

Fig. 1b is a plan view of the sheet shown in Figs. 1 and la, partlydrawn out;

Figs. 2, 2a and 2b are views similar to those of Figs. 1, 1a and lb,respectively, but showing a sheet of pleated material of a width equalto the diagonal of the rhombs;

Fig.3 is a plan view of another sheet of pleated material partly brokenaway and drawn out, the width of the sheet in this instance being twicethe length of the diagonal of the rhombs;

Fig. 3a is an end view of the sheet shown in Fig. 3, in compressed form;

Figs. 3b and 3c are side and end views, respectively, of two articlesmade from the sheet shown in Fig. 3:

Fig. 4 is a plan view of another pleated sheet of a width equal to threetimes the length of the diagonal of the rhombs;

Fig. 4c is an end view of the sheet shown in Fig. 4, in compressed form,and

Fig. 4b is a side view of the compressed material shown in Fig. 4apartly drawn out and shaped to the form of a tube.

A simple method of pleating embodying the principles of the invention isillustrated in Fig. l which shows a sheet ofmaterial folded in onedirection along a system of spaced parallel transverse linm II, and inthe opposite direction along a system of parallel oblique lines II andanother system of parallel oblique lines II, the two systems of obliquelines H and I! being so disposed as to form aitemately inverted andupright isosceles triangles ll of a heighth equal to the width of thesheet and bisected by the system of lines III. Each such triangle II isin eifect one half of a rhomb which would be formed by extending thesystems of lines, the width of the sheet being half the length of thediagonal of such a thumb. When the sheet is compressed on the folds, theoblique fold lines H and I2 lie in a common plane N (Fig. in), while thefold lines bisecting the inverted isosceles triangles II lie in a commonplane Ila and those bisecting the upright triangles lie in a commonplane lllb. By partly drawing out the compressed sheet of material, thesheet shown in Fig. lb is obtained, the sheet being made up of aplurality of flat, right triangular areas, each inclined relative to theadjacent areas.

In order to pleat the material so that it is bent in the direction ofthe pleats, it is prepared in the manner shown in Fig. 2 by folding itin one direction along a system of spaced parallel transverse lines Ii,and in the opposite direction along a system of parallel oblique linesIt and another system of parallel oblique lines II. The oblique lines Itand i1 intersect to form a row of rhombs ll, each bisected by one of thevertical lines I! forming a diagonal of a length equal to the width ofthe sheet. and the portions of the sheet between adjacent rhombs are inthe form of opposed isosceles triangles I! having their bases at the topand bottom edges of the sheet, respectively. When the folded sheet iscompressed (Fig. 2a), the diagonals or alternate transverse folds I! liein a common plane and the two halves of each rhomb II are bent back oneach other, while the two halves into which the triangles I! are dividedby the vertical folds I! are doubled back on the adjacent side areas ofthe rhombs and form gussets between the rhombs. By partly drawing outthe compressed sheet, the trough-shaped article shown in Fig. 2b isobtained.

The depth of the trough-shaped article shown in Fig. 2b is dependent onthe angular relation of the folds it and I1 forming the sides of therhombs, and the depth may be increased by increasing the inclination ofthe oblique lines It and I1 with respect to the vertical lines It, andvice versa. Also, while the pleated sheet is shown in the form of atrough, it may be manipulated into various other articles, as will beapparent from the following description of a somewhat similar pleatedsheet shown in Fig. 3.

This sheet illustrated in Fig. 3 is pleated in a manner similar to thatshown in Fig. 2, except that the system of transverse lines 2|! and thetwo systems of intersecting oblique lines 2| and 22, respectively, formrhombs 21 having diagonals of a length equal to one half the width ofthe sheet. Accordingly, the sheet is divided into upper, intermediateand lower rows of rhombs extending in staggered relation across thesheet, and a plurality of isosceles triangles 24 between adjacent rhombsin the upper and lower rows. when the sheet is compressed on the folds,it assumes the form shown in Fig. 3a wherein the diagonal folds of theupper row of rhombs lie in a common plane 25, and those of the rhombs inthe intermediate and lower rows lie in common planes 26 and 21,respectively. The two parts into which each rhomb is divided by itsdiagonal fold are bent back on each other, while the parts into whichthe triangles 24 are divided by their median folds 20 are doubled backon the adjacent areas of the rhombs.

By appropriate manipulation of the sheet shown in Fig. 3a, it may beformed into various articles, as, for example, by partly drawing it out,it will assume a trough-shaped form which is faceted and may beinscribed in a cylindrical surface. Also. the sheet may be made into thehollow faceted body shown in Fig. 3b by turning one end thereof through360 about the axis A-A, the body thus formed being inscribable in asurface of revolution. It will be understood that by turning the endthrough less than 360" about the axis A-A a faceted cup-shaped body isformed, and that by turning the end in the opposite direction, that is,about the axis 8-3, a faceted body of different form may be produced.The body shown in Fig. 30 may be formed by turning the end of the sheetthrough 180 about the axis G-C which is inclined to the axes AA and BB.These and other forms made from the sheet shown in Fig. 3 may be usedfor a number of purposes, such, for example, as decorations, lampshades, and the like.

In the manufacture of tubes according to my invention, a sheet ofsuitable material, such as a fibrous material, metal, or the like, isfolded in one direction along the system of transverse lines 28 and inthe opposite direction along the two systems of oblique intersectinglines 29 and an, the lines being so spaced as to form rhombs havingdiagonal folds of a length equal to onestaggered, horizontal rowsdesignated II, I2, 33, 84 and II. respectively, the portions of thesheet between adjacent rhombs in the outer rows II and 85 being in theform of isosceles triangles 1B which serve as gussets between theadjacent sides of the rhombs.

When the sheet is compressed, it assumes the form hown in Fig. 4awherein the diagonal folds in the rows ii to", inclusive, lie in commonplanes 3| to 35', inclusive, respectively, and the two parts of eachrhomb on opposite sides of its diagonal are bent back and outwardly oneach other so that the sides of all of the rhombs together form anequilateral hexagon. The triangular areas 36 at the edges of the sheetare doubled back on their median folds 28 so that they lie against theadjacent areas of the rhombs in the outer rows II and 35, whereby themedian folds of the triangles lie in a common plane 38', with the basesof the triangles meeting in a plane 31. Accordingly, by making acontinuous joint between the bases of the opposing triangles 38, thatis, between the top and bottom edges of the sheet in the plane 31, abody is formed which is completely closed, except at its ends, and bydrawing the body partly out, the faceted pipe shown in Fig. 4b isobtained.

The number of sides of the polygon shown in Fig. 4a is equal to twicethe number of rhombs which extend end to end in a row across the sheet,and, accordingly, for every unit increase in the latter number, thenumber of sides of the polygon is increased by two. Also, in order toform a regular polygon by compressing the sheet, it is necessary thatthe angle 1 between the oblique lines and the transverse lines 28satisfy the equations soo and

tan y where n is the number of sides of the polygon or twice the numberof rhombs extending end to end in a transverse row on the flat sheet, bthe width of the flat sheet, and a the distance between adjacentvertical folds 28. Accordingly, for the hexagonal tube illustrated, theangle a must be 30".

While the compressed sheet of Fig. 4a is shown drawn out into a tube, itwill be understood that it may be formed into other bodies byappropriate manipulations, as, for example, by turning the ends thereofabout a suitable axis.

The method of the invention may also be employed to transform anordinary smooth surfaced tube into a pleated one by making a pinralityof folds extending circumferentially around the cylindrical surface ofthe pipe, as for example, the folds may be made by pinching the pipefrom the inside. The circumferential folds are the equivalent of thevertical folds 2B and may be spaced accordingly. The surface of the pipeis also folded by pinching it from the outside along two systems ofintersecting lines equivalent to the lines 29 and ill and extending incontinuous, equidistant helical lines so arranged as to satisfy theequation a.h=n (2 tan y, where a is the distance between adjacentcircumferential folds, in the number of sides desired in the polygonforming the base of the pleated tube, (1 the diameter of the cylindricaltube, and 1! the angle between the helical and circumferential folds.

The tube may then be compressed into a pleated form similar to thatshown in Fig. 4b.

It will be apparent that bythe practice of my new method, materials ofany suitable kind, such as fibrous materials, metal, and the like, maybe readily pleated and manipulated into the desired forms,-and sincearticles made in this manner have a relatively large surface per unit ofprojected area, they may be used to advantage for numerous purposes.

What is claimed is: p

l. A pleated sheet having folds extending in spaced, substantiallyparallel planes, the fold in each of at least alternate planes beingformed of two parts disposed in angular relation.

2. A pleated sheet folded along three systems of intersecting lines, thesheet being divided by lines of folding into paraiielograms each withone diagonal.

3. A pleated sheet folded along three systems of intersecting lines, thesheet being divided by lines of folding into rhombs each with onediagonal.

4. A pleated sheet folded along three systems of intersecting lines, thesheet being divided by lines of folding into parallelograms each withone diagonal, the diagonals being folded in a direction opposite to thedirection of the folds forming the sides of the parallelograms.

5. A hollow body having a surface inscribable in a surface of revolutionand folded along three systems of intersecting lines, the surface of thebody being divided by the lines of folding into parallelograms each withone diagonal, and the lines of folding forming angularly disposed pleatsextending in planes substantially parallel to the axis of said surfaceof revolution.

6. A tube having its surface folded along three systems of substantiallystraight, intersecting lines, one system of lines extending around thetube in spaced, parallel planes perpendicular to the tube axis, and theother two systems extending obliquely to the first system and dividingthe surface into parallelograms wherein the lines of said first systemform diagonals, the tube being compressible in a direction perpendicularto the diagonals.

'7. A method of pleating sheet material which comprises folding thesheet in one direction along a system of substantially parallel lines,and folding the sheet in the opposite direction along a system ofsubstantially parallel lines oblique to the lines of the first systemand along another system of substantially parallel lines lying at anangle to the lines of the first two systems, the lines of the threesystems intersecting at common points and dividing the sheet intoparallelograms each with one diagonal.

8. A method of making pleated tubes which comprises folding sheetmaterial in one direction along a system of substantially parallellines, and in the opposite direction along two systems of intersectinglines dividing the sheet into parallelograms in which the first systemof lines forms diagonals, the lines being disposed to form rows of atleast three parallelograms extending transversely across the sheet,compressing the sheet on the folds in a direction transverse to thediagonals, and joining the adjacent edges of the sheet.

9. A method of pleating tubes which comprises forming a plurality ofpleats extending circumferentially around a tube and in spaced relation,folding the tube along a system of substantially parallel, continuous,helical lines extending around the tube and along another system ofsubstantially parallel, continuous. helical lines at an angle to thehelical lines first mentioned, the lines of the systems intersecting atcommon points, whereby the surface of the tube is divided by lines offolding into a plurality of parallelograms each with one diagonal, andcompressing the tube axially on the folds.

10. A trough-shaped article comprising a flex ible sheet folded alongthree systems of intersecting lines, the sheet being divided by thelines of folding into parallelograms each with one diagonal extendinggenerally transversely of the article, and the sheet being collapsiblealong said lines of folding.

11. A tube having its wall folded along three systems of intersectinglines, the wall being divided by the lines of folding intoparallelograms each with one diagonal substantially perpendicular to theaxis of the tube.

12. A method of making pleated articles which comprises folding sheetmaterial in one direction along a system of substantially parallel linesand in the opposite direction along a system of substantially parallellines oblique to the lines Patent No 2,161 966.

of the iirst system and along another system of substantially parallellines lying at an angle to the lines of the first two systems, the linesof the three systems intersecting at common points and dividing thesheet into parallelograms each with one diagonal, compressing thematerial in a direction transverse to the diagonals. and partly drawingout the compressed material.

13. A method of making pleated articles which comprises folding sheetmaterial in one direction along a system of substantially parallel linesand in the opposite direction along a system of substantially parallellines oblique to the lines of the first system and along another systemof substantially parallel lines lying at an angle to the lines of thefirst two systems. the lines of the three systems intersecting at commonpoints and dividing the sheet into paralleiograms each with onediagonal, compressing the material on the folds in a directionperpendicular to the diagonals, and turning one end of the compressedmaterial about an axis.

KAMMA TUTEIN. Widow of Paul Tutein, Deceased.

CERT]? ICA'IE F CORRECTION.

mnm 'ru'mm, union of PAUL TU'IEIN, deceased. It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the printed specification of the above numberedpatentrequiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, lines ll andl'fi,strike out the syllable and words combe folded or bent on axesparallel"and insert instead compressed in a' direction transverse; same page,second column, line 15, for "facet" read faceted} and that the saidLetters latent shouldbe' readw'ith this. correction therein that thesame may conform to the record of'the case in the Patent Office.

Signed. and sealedthis l5th'day of August, A. n. 1939.

(Seal) Leslie Frazer Acting Oomnissioaer of Patents.

around the tube and along another system of substantially parallel,continuous. helical lines at an angle to the helical lines firstmentioned, the lines of the systems intersecting at common points,whereby the surface of the tube is divided by lines of folding into aplurality of parallelograms each with one diagonal, and compressing thetube axially on the folds.

10. A trough-shaped article comprising a flex ible sheet folded alongthree systems of intersecting lines, the sheet being divided by thelines of folding into parallelograms each with one diagonal extendinggenerally transversely of the article, and the sheet being collapsiblealong said lines of folding.

11. A tube having its wall folded along three systems of intersectinglines, the wall being divided by the lines of folding intoparallelograms each with one diagonal substantially perpendicular to theaxis of the tube.

12. A method of making pleated articles which comprises folding sheetmaterial in one direction along a system of substantially parallel linesand in the opposite direction along a system of substantially parallellines oblique to the lines Patent No 2,161 966.

of the iirst system and along another system of substantially parallellines lying at an angle to the lines of the first two systems, the linesof the three systems intersecting at common points and dividing thesheet into parallelograms each with one diagonal, compressing thematerial in a direction transverse to the diagonals. and partly drawingout the compressed material.

13. A method of making pleated articles which comprises folding sheetmaterial in one direction along a system of substantially parallel linesand in the opposite direction along a system of substantially parallellines oblique to the lines of the first system and along another systemof substantially parallel lines lying at an angle to the lines of thefirst two systems. the lines of the three systems intersecting at commonpoints and dividing the sheet into paralleiograms each with onediagonal, compressing the material on the folds in a directionperpendicular to the diagonals, and turning one end of the compressedmaterial about an axis.

KAMMA TUTEIN. Widow of Paul Tutein, Deceased.

CERT]? ICA'IE F CORRECTION.

mnm 'ru'mm, union of PAUL TU'IEIN, deceased. It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the printed specification of the above numberedpatentrequiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, lines ll andl'fi,strike out the syllable and words combe folded or bent on axesparallel"and insert instead compressed in a' direction transverse; same page,second column, line 15, for "facet" read faceted} and that the saidLetters latent shouldbe' readw'ith this. correction therein that thesame may conform to the record of'the case in the Patent Office.

Signed. and sealedthis l5th'day of August, A. n. 1939.

(Seal) Leslie Frazer Acting Oomnissioaer of Patents.

